Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 16m
Distance
261.4 mi
421 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bristol, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Waterford, PA
Jack Pace
Bristol, PA to Waterford, PA is 261.4 miles and takes about 5h 16m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and Lincoln Highway, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused trip primarily within Pennsylvania. You'll spend most of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which makes for a quick journey. Given the 5-hour driving time, it's a manageable one-day trip, perfect for getting from the northeast part of the state to the northwest efficiently. Plan for a single recommended stop to break up the drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
130.7 miles from Bristol, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 213.1 mi | 3h 52m |
| Lincoln Highway | 38.4 mi | 57m |
| Waterford Laughlintown Road | 3 mi | 7m |
| Pitt Street | 2 mi | 4m |
| Weber Lane | 1 mi | 3m |
| Bristol Pike | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Jefferson Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Beechwood Road | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bristol, PA and Waterford, PA.
Start on this road
Turn right onto Washington Street
Turn left onto Wood Street
Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Beaver Street
Turn slight right onto US 13
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto I 276; PATP
Take the exit
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto US 220 BUS
Turn right onto Weber Lane
Turn left onto Country Ridge Road
Turn right onto US 30
Continue on US 30
Continue on US 30
Continue on US 30
Continue on US 30
Turn right onto Beechwood Road
Turn left onto Hemlock Road
Turn right onto Walnut Road
Continue on State Road
Continue on Waterford Laughlintown Road
At end of road, turn right onto PA 271
Arrive at destination
Consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight and take advantage of potentially lighter traffic on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. With a total driving time of around 5 hours and 16 minutes, this trip is well-suited for a single day. You'll want to plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, especially since the longest continuous driving segment is over 200 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as highway services can sometimes be spaced out, and aim to fill up before embarking on the longest 213.1-mile stretch on the turnpike.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 58 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.7 miles or 2h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waterford, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Bristol, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bristol, PA
This is one driving day of about 261.4 miles and 5h 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
131 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 130.7 miles from Bristol, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 213.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 215.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Washington Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike toward I 95: Philadelphia, New York
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South: Philadelphia, Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 276; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike toward I 276 Toll West, PATP West: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Altoona, Johnstown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$43.34 one way
$86.67 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $47.46 | $94.93 |
| premium | $4.93 | $50.70 | $101.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $57.71 | $115.43 |
Estimated Tolls: $27.70
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Tolls
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$96–$121
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.4 | 0 | $27.45 | $12.55 |
| Efficient EV | 65.4 | 0 | $22.87 | $10.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.6 | 1 | $36.60 | $16.73 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Bristol on Sunday
Local time
12:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Waterford on Sunday
Local time
12:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This drive is largely highway-focused, with 82% of the route utilizing major roadways. Expect a significant portion of your journey to be on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, offering a consistent and fast-paced experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch is an impressive 213.1 miles on this turnpike, allowing you to cover a lot of ground without frequent exits. While the profile is highway-focused, you will transition to roads like Lincoln Highway and Waterford Laughlintown Road as you approach your destination, offering a slight change in pace from the turnpike.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Lincoln Highway. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Washington Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 261.4 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (Pennsylvania Turnpike): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bristol, PA and Waterford, PA, road signs point toward Altoona, Johnstown and Bedford.
Altoona
Johnstown
Bedford
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 16m. Total distance: 261.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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